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a map of the world with pictures of people on itmany maps of the world on display on the wallan old map of the world on a piece of papera picture of a map of the world on the side of a buildingtwo old maps of the world are shown on a white surfacean old book with a map of new zealand and a picture of a map of new zealandan old photo of a plane that is in the dirtan old black and white photo of a fighter planea black and white photo of a plane in the wateran old map of the islands of the british virgin islandsan old book with a bunch of illustrations on itan old map of the british island of new zealand on a piece of papera piece of paper that has a map on itnewspaper clipping of two men in military uniforms smoking a cigaretteblack and white photo of a man standing in front of a signan old map of the area that is being used to describe the location of a plane
Maître Lydie BRIOULT

Personal collection of Lieutenant Robert Q.
See original version (French)

Estimate €200 - €300
Sale commission
Description
Personal collection of Lieutenant Robert Q. Bekins Jr, VMF-222 – US MARINE CORPS – South Pacific, Solomon Islands (3 original photographs, squadron insignia, navigation chart, documents) Lt. Bekins was posted to the Marine Corps’ VMF-222 fighter squadron, flying F4U Corsairs, during the Solomon Islands campaign, in which he flew three combat sorties. He was stationed at Munda in New Georgia, then at Vella Lavella alongside Greg Boyington’s famous VMF-214 in November–December 1943, and finally on the island of Bougainville, from where his unit continued to carry out missions against the notorious Japanese naval air base at Rabaul. This set includes a VMF-222 insignia (a decal on fabric-backed cardboard). This is the very first version, which was replaced by an Australian-made woven version during the squadron’s first leave following its first operational tour at Munda. This lot includes a few photographs: notably a Corsair with its wings folded for maintenance under a tarpaulin-covered shelter, Bob Bekins posing in front of the sign erected by the Marine Raiders in tribute to the work of the CBs who built a road through the jungle on the island of Bougainville, an aircraft graveyard comprising the wrecks of a P-38 Lightning, a B-24 Liberator, F6F Hellcats, a view of the runway and the jungle from the wing of an American aircraft, a newspaper article about Bob Bekins in which he can be seen wearing the VMF-222 insignia on the sleeve of his dress jacket, which is visible on the far right of the photograph (the shape of the insignia and the tip of the wing protruding from the central logo are recognisable). Various maps: a map of the Solomon Islands printed on photographic paper and dated March 1943, showing the area between the Espiritu Santo rear base and the island of Guadalcanal. A navigation chart of Espiritu Santo Island (the full name in the bottom left-hand corner has been torn off, but the island’s distinctive shape is perfectly recognisable). Most remarkable of all are the two full-length charts of the entire Solomon Islands corridor, showing the navigational headings. The first (dated 3 August 1943) centres on the Munda airfield in New Georgia and covers the area between San Cristobal, Munda, Vella Lavella and Bougainville. The second, which is stained (the paper having suffered damage over time), is dated 18 December 1943. It centres on the Cape Torokina airfield on the main island of Bougainville and covers the area from Bougainville to the Bismarck Sea and the Admiralty Islands behind New Ireland and NewBritain, home to the Japanese base at Rabaul. On the reverse of this chart are reduced copies of certain approach charts and aerial photographs of various sectors, such as Rabaul Harbour with the Japanese airfields at Lakunai, Kavieng, Rapopo and Vunakanau, and the Japanese airfields at Borpop and Lorengau. These navigation charts were carried by pilots on board their aircraft, in their ‘plotting board’ – which slid out like a drawer and fitted beneath their instrument panel – so that they could use them whilst in flight. Finally, a document dated 16 June 1944 in the name of Bob Bekins lists the military equipment he returned upon his return to the United States. Personal records of Marine Corps pilots are particularly rare, given that these units comprised very few men (a squadron consisted of between 20 and 30 pilots) compared to Air Force units in Europe, and that the fighting they undertook on the front line often took place in relatively confined areas (Guadalcanal, the Solomon Islands, the Marshall Islands, Okinawa…) which nevertheless constituted battles of rare intensity and key events in the progress of operations. (Directly from the Bekins family) (Grégory Pons Collection)
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About the sale Sale of the Grégory Pons collection and miscellaneous items (Aviation and WW2 Militaria)
Auction location
Auction time 11/14/2026 at 1:30 PM
Pictures credits: Contact the Auction House
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